Retail Association of Maine

Maine Employers! Be sure to download the new Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave poster and post it with other required posters. This is a new requirement of Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave law, and it can be downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/enDQAiWc

Stay informed! Join us this Thursday, Nov. 7th, for an essential webinar on Maine's Paid Family & Medical Leave program. Learn what you need to know for your business and your team. ?? REGISTER TODAY: https://lnkd.in/gWFiVNQg #PFML #PaidFamilyMedicalLeave #MaineBusinessResources #EmployerSupport #MaineEntrepreneurs Partners: HospitalityMaine, Maine Tourism Association, and the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association

Last Thursday, we presented our 2024 Jim McGregor Award to Tom Largay of Old Port Card Works and Old Port Candy Co. Tom has been an outstanding advocate for retailers in Maine, and we were thrilled to help recognize his accomplishments. Congratulations, Tom!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been delivering checks to members who participate in our MMA Workers’ Compensation Trust program. Thanks to safe workplaces, and sound financial management, we are returning a record $1.2 million to members this year! Call us to learn more.

?? REGISTER TODAY for SUMMIT 2024! Don't miss the opportunity to go behind the scenes at L.L.Bean's headquarters! ?? Reserve your spot now: tinyurl.com/4zenx5v7 Join us for an inspiring day of learning and networking with top local and national leaders including L.L.Bean CEO Steve Smith, Cole Brauer the First American Woman to race solo around the world, Beth Ziesenis Your Nerdy Best Friend, Bob Tiner and John Carr with Asset Protection at Hannaford Supermarkets, and Kerri Barton with Portland Public Health. #Summit2024 #LLBean #Networking #BusinessLeadership #RetailMaine #ShopMaine

It has been fun zipping around Maine hand delivering a number of checks to participating members of our Workers' Compensation Trust program. The Trust is run by our partners at FutureComp, and thanks to our safe workplaces and sound financial management, we are returning $1.2 million in premiums to our members. Recently, we surprised SEACOAST HARDWOOD LUMBER & PLYWOOD and Downeast Flowers & Gifts with their checks.

We have an incredible line up of speakers coming in October including L.L.Bean CEO Steve Smith, Cole Brauer the First American Woman to race solo around the world, Beth Ziesenis Your Nerdy Best Friend, Bob Tiner and John Carr with Asset Protection at Hannaford Supermarkets, and Kerri Barton with Portland Public Health. Reception and private tours on October 16th as well! REGISTER TODAY! https://lnkd.in/g4pWHYef

We are very excited to announce Cole Brauer as a keynote speaker of our Summit event on October 17. Cole is the first American woman to sail solo around the world as part of the recent Global Solo Challenge, and she'll share her story at this year's Summit. The event is being held at L.L. Bean's Headquarters in Freeport, ME. More details: https://lnkd.in/e4wFhFiq

We are incredibly grateful to all our Board of Directors for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Special thanks to those who were able to join us in person for our recent meeting. For those who joined us remotely, we appreciate your flexibility and engagement from afar. To all our Board of Directors, your hard work and dedication ensures that the Retail Association of Maine continues to thrive and support our members effectively. A special welcome to our newest board member, Jake of Marden's! We are confident that Jake's expertise and enthusiasm will bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights to our board. At the same time, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Heidi, former owner of Loyal Biscuit Co. Heidi’s dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our achievements, and she will be greatly missed. And yes, we know the photo looks almost as though Heidi has horns. It was her idea — which just goes to show her fun spirit that will be so missed!

This year, our national meeting, The Council of State Retail Association's annual meeting, is being held in Stowe, VT, and hosted by Erin Sigrist and the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association. Given the close proximity, I would like to encourage my retail members who don't typically attend this event to consider attending. It's a great meeting, and I always learn a lot from my state counterparts. https://lnkd.in/e5NVuceZ